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Srinagar, July 31 (ANI): A visit to the circus fair reminded Kashmiris in Srinagar of their peaceful past when such mega events were the order of the day, which now have become mere memories with the shadow of militancy looming large over the picturesque state. Reminiscing about the old days, a visitor, Javaid Ahmad, said that earlier the atmosphere was very safe and peaceful.Jul 31, 2014

Tehri, July 31 (ANI): Heavy rains wreaked havoc in Himalayan state of Uttarakhand after cloudburst killed four people and washed away several houses on Thursday. Rescue and rehabilitation work is underway in Tehri district as several people are still feared trapped. The Himalayan state was hit by its heaviest rainfall on record in June 2013, causing lakes and rivers to burst their banks, inundating towns and villages below.Jul 31, 2014

Udhampur, July 31 (ANI): A bus plunged into a gorge in Udhampur district of Jammu and Kashmir, killing five people and injuring several others on Thursday. The accident occurred in Dubligali area of the district, when the driver lost control of the bus packed with local passengers. The injured were immediately shifted to a hospital. Additional Deputy Commissioner, Vikas Sharma, said four people died on the spot and one women died on the way to the hospital.Jul 31, 2014

The Union government has asked State governments of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana to immediately identify land required for establishment of higher education institutes like Indian Institute of Management (IIM) in the two states.Jul 31, 2014

Mumbai, July 31 (ANI): U S Secretary of Commerce, Penny Pritzker, expressed eagerness to support and partner with India to bolster mutual economic ties at en event in Mumbai. Pritzker, who arrived in India on Wednesday, attended the interactive session with industry officials that was organised by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). Pritzker emphasised that throughout the visit, she and her team will continue to emphasise on strategic dialogue, which is a mechanism to reinvigorate, re-energize and strengthen the U.S.-India economic relationship. While addressing the interactive session, she said Unites States is ready to share their best practices and create a business climate in India that is more open for global investment. The U.S. Secretary of Commerce added that the two-way trade between India and America has grown more than five-fold since 2000 to $96 billion, supporting about 45,000 jobs.Jul 31, 2014

Poonch, July 31 (ANI): The police in Jammu and Kashmir recovered a dead body of a Pakistan national from Poonch district in the state. Assistant Sub-Inspector, Poonch police, Mohammed Shafi Khan, said they recovered the body from the drain near the Line of Control (LOC) at the border. Khan said the police brought the body to the mortuary at night and in the morning they were able to recognise the dead only after they received a call from Pakistan to claim the body. The body will now be sent back to Pakistan.Jul 31, 2014

The rescue operations are still on in Ambegaon taluk near Pune, which was hit by a major landslide on Wednesday. The death toll has increased to 25 with more than 158 people still feared trapped under the debris.Jul 31, 2014

Chumukedima, July 31 (ANI): The issue of illegal taxation, extortion and carrying of arms by cadres dominated the Ceasefire review meeting held between Centre and NSCN (K) at Police Complex in Chumukedima. Chairman of Ceasefire Monitoring Group Major Gen (Retd) N K Singh insisted that NSCN (K) give up extortion activities. He maintained that such actions are against the Ceasefire Ground Rules and also vitiated the peaceful atmosphere. Formed as a splinter group in 1988, NSCN (K) declared ceasefire in April 2001.Jul 31, 2014

Last-ditch talks between Argentina and the US hedge funds it has branded "vultures" failed to reach agreement Wednesday. In Buenos Aires, government supporters gathered to voice their discontent against the US hedge funds. Duration: 00:39Jul 31, 2014

Fears that the west African Ebola outbreak could spread to other continents grew on Wednesday with European and Asian countries on alert and a leading medical charity warning the epidemic was out of control. Duration: 00:46Jul 31, 2014

The leader of Spain's economically powerful region of Catalonia said Wednesday he was "determined" to press ahead with an independence referendum in November despite opposition from the national government. Duration: 00:48Jul 31, 2014